Shuri Castle (首里城) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Naha, the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.Built during the Ryukyu Kingdom from the 15th to 19th centuries, the castle was destroyed during World War II and reconstruction was completed in 1992.
It was then known as part of the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, which is recognized as a World Heritage Site. However, in October 2019, the building was severely damaged by fire and many buildings were destroyed. This event had a great impact on the people of Okinawa and Japan as a whole, and efforts are underway to rebuild.
The ruins of Shuri Castle are visited by many tourists and history buffs as a valuable place to learn about the history and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Parts of the castle ruins have been reconstructed, giving visitors a taste of the Ryukyu Kingdom period.
Getting there
- From Naha Airport
Take the Yui Rail (Okinawa Urban Monorail) from Naha Airport Station to Shuri Station (about 30 minutes, ¥340 one way). From Shuri Station, it is about a 15–20 minute walk to the castle, or you can take a short bus or taxi ride. - By Bus
Several local buses connect central Naha with the Shuri area (20–30 minutes, around ¥230–¥300). Get off at Shurijo-mae or nearby stops. - By Taxi
From Naha Airport, a taxi takes around 30–40 minutes and costs about ¥1500–¥2000, depending on traffic.
Details
| Hours | April to June / 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM July to September / 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM December to March / 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Admission | Adults: 400 yen High school students: 300 yen Elementary school and junior high school students: 160 yen |
| Phone | +81 98-886-2020 |
| Address | 1-2 Shurikinjocho, Naha, Okinawa 903-0815 |
| Official Website | https://oki-park.jp/shurijo/ |
